Switch



31, 1950 H. H. CLAYTON 2,528,035

SWITCH Filed larch 7, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fq i. 1a.; a F 25 Oct. 31,1950 H. H. CLAYTON SWITCH 4 sheets shoet 5 F1106 larch 7, 1946 06t- 31,1950 H. H. CLAYTON ,5 5

sum! Filed larch 7, 1946 4 sheets-sum 4 STOP Sit I72? Patented Oct. 31,1950 UNITED CSTA'IXVES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH Harold H. Clayton,Logansport, Ind., assignor; by mesne assignments, to Essex WireCorporation, Logansport, Ind., a corporation of Michigan ApplicationMarch 7, 1946, Serial No. 652,674

15 Claims. 1

My present invention relates to improvements in switches, and moreparticularly to switches having use in directional signalling systemsfor automotive vehicles.

It has now become widespread practice to equip automotive vehicles witha pair of lamps at each side of the vehicle at either or both of theforward and rearward ends thereof which lamps according to onesignalling system now in use are caused to be energized intermittentlyto give a visual signal of a turn to be made. My invention has to doprimarily with switches for use in such or other signalling systemsalthough it will be understood that the switches have other uses inwhich it is desired to control the s'elective energization of aplurality of circuits. Also, while I have shown my switches embodied ina flashing type of directional signalling circuit it will be understoodthat the switch has use in other signalling systems wherein for examplesignal lamps are caused to be energized continuously, and some meansother than flashing is used to indicate that a turn is to be made or isbeing made.

It is an object of my invention to provide a switch of the abovecharacter having a. normal or neutral position and which is adapted tobe actuated to complete selectively one of a plurality of circuits.

A further object of my invention isto provide a switch in which a pairof contact carrying block members are normally biased in onepredetermined position, and having means for selectively effectingmovement of either of the block members independently of the other toeffeet the selective completion of either one of a pair of circuits inwhich the switch is adapted to be incorporated.

A further object is to provide a switch in which a pair of contactmembers are carried by a pair of block members normally biased to efiectpositioning of the contact members in a predetermined normal position,and a common operating means or 'block carrier member for'efiecting theselective movement of either of the block members independently of eachother against the biasing means to effect the completion Of either of apair of circuits in which the switch is adapted to be incorporated.

A further object of my invention is to provide a switch comprising theelements last aforesaid in which the operating or block carrier member,the block members, and the contact members carried by the latter arearranged with respect to the biasing means so that upon release of thecommon operating means in efiecting a selective energization of eitherof the pair of circuits cause the several elements to return to theirnormal positions.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of my inventionwill appear from the detail description.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofconstruction and utilizing switches in accordance with my invention, Ishall describe in connection with the accomp nying drawings certainpreferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of one form of switch constructed inaccordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the switch of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the switch of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3looking in the direction indicated by the arrows showing the casing insection and in end elevation certain of the parts of the switch;

Figure 5 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on theline 5-5 of Figure 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 66 of Figure 3 looking in the direction indicated by thearrows;

Figure 7 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken substantially onthe line 1-1 of Figure 6 looking in the direction indicated by thearrows;

Figure 8 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken substantially online 8-4 of Figure 6 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the switch of Figures 1 through 8 andillustrating the connection thereof in a directional signal circuit;

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of another form of switchconstructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 11 is an end view of the switch 01' Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an enlarged plan view of the switch shown in Figures 10 and11;

Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the switch of Figures 10 through 12showing certain of the parts or elements of the switch in elevation andwith the enclosing housing in section taken substantially on line [3-13of Figure 12 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 14 is a detailed horizontal sectional view 3 taken substantiallyon line |4-|4 of Figure 13 looking in the direction indicated by thearrows;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the insulating plate member enclosing theopen end of the metal switch casing illustrating an arrangement ofcontacts therein when the switch is embodied in a typical directionalsignal circuit; and

Figure 16 is a bottom view of the switch of Figures through and showinga typical directional signal circuit with which the switch has beenincorporated.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1through 9, it will be seen that I have provided a switch 28 comprising aswitch casing formed by a metal housing member 2| in the bottom open endof which a plate member 22 of insulating material is adapted to besecured by a plurality of bent over ears on lug elements 23 formedintegrally with the housing member 2| and extending from the open endthereof. The housing 2| is preferably made of sheet metal which througha suitable forming or stamping operation is formed with a substantiallychannel shaped section 24 from the side edges 'of which lengthwiseextending side wall members 25-25 depend. The opposite ends of thechannel shaped section 24 are closed by end walls 28-28 from whichsuitable integral outturned flanges or lugs 21-21 extend to provide formounting of the switch.

A pair of contact carrying blocks 28 and 29 made of insulating materialare mounted for rectilinear sliding movement lengthwise within theswitch casing 28 and as will be more clearly seen in Figures 4 and 5 areeach provided with a reduced upper end portion 38 fitting in the section24 of the switch housing 2| together with integral laterally extendingflange portions 32-32 the upper surfaces of which are adapted to haveguiding engagement with the lengthwise extending shoulders at theintersections of the side walls 25-25 with the channel shaped section24. The opposite side edges of the contact carrying block members 28 and28 are provided with opposed grooves 33-33 into which grooves ears orlugs 35-35 of a pair of metal contact plate members 38 and 31 associatedrespectively with the block members 28 and 28 are adapted to extend. Asshown more clearly in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of small coil springs38-38 are arranged between each of the contact carrying blocks 28 and 29and contact plates 38 and 31, respectively, for yielding y urging thecontact plate members 38 and 31 into engagement with the upper surfaceof the insulated plate member 22. It will be observed that the contactplate members 38 and 31 are substantially triangular in plan and thatplate member 38 is provided with three contacts 48, 4| and 42 formed bydepressing of the metal adjacent the corners thereof with the contactplate 31 in like manner also being provided with three contacts 43, 44and 45. These several contacts are adapted to have engagement withcertain of the contacts in the insulating plate member 22 as will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter. The depressions formingcontacts 42 and 48 of the plate members 38 and 31, respective eachprovide for the reception of one of the ends of one of the pair of coilsprings 38-38 and with the other ends of the several coil springs beingreceived in cylindrical inwardly extending recesses 41 formed in theblock members 28 and 29. As will be been more clearly in Figure 6, thecontact carrying block members 28 and 29 are each provided with acylindrical recess 88 extending inwardly of the opposed inner endsthereof, and which recesses provide for the reception of the oppositeends of a coil spring II. A guide pin 52 is disposed internally of thecoil spring 5| for preventing buckling thereof. It will be observed thatthe coil spring 5| normally tends to maintain the contact carrying blockmembers 28 and 28 in the position shown in Figure 6 with the outer endsof the block members in abutting engagement with the closed end portions28-25 of the channel-shaped section 24 of the switch housing member 2|.An operating member or block carrier means 55 is mounted for rectilinearmovement with the channel shaped section 24 of the switch casing, andhas a knob member 58 secured intermediate its ends as by riveting. Theknob member 58 extends through a lengthwise extending slot '51 formed inthe upper end wall of the housing 2|. The side edges of the member 55 atthe opposite ends thereof are each provided with a pair of dependingears or lugs 88-88 which are adapted to engage shoulders 8|8| formedintegrally of block members 28 and 28 adjacent the opposed inner endsthereof. The depending ears or lugs 88-88 at each end of the carriermember 58 together with the integral shoulders or lugs 8|'-8| of each ofthe contact carrying block members 28 and 28 provide one way motiontransmitting connecting means by reason of which either of the contactcarrier block members 28 and 28 may be moved rectilinearlylongitudinally within the switch casing by sliding movement of thecarrier member in the switch casing.

By virtue of this arrangement of the block carrier or operating means 55and the block members 28 and 28 it will be observed from Figure 6 thatif the carrier member 55 is moved to the right as by grasping of theknob 88 and moving it lengthwise in the slot to the right, that theblock member 28 by virtue of the engagement of the lugs 88-68 formedintegrally of the member 55 with the shoulders 8l-8l of the block member28 that it will be shifted to the right against the force of spring 5|.Upon the movement of the carrier member to the right it will be observedthat the ears 88-88 at the right hand end of the carrier member 55simply slide along the side edges of the block carrier member 28 so thatit and the contact plate 31 remain in the position shown in the drawingswith the spring 5| being effective to maintain it in abutting engagementwith the adjacent end wall 28 of the channel shaped section 24. Uponmovement of the carrier member to the left the reverse action takesplace namely, the block member 28 and its associated contact plate 31are shifted to the left against the force of spring 5| while the blockmember 28 and its associated contact plate 38 remain in the positionshown in the drawing.

The plate member 22 of switch 28 as shown in Figure 9 is provided with aplurality of contacts 85, 88, 81, 88, 89, 18 and H suitably securedtherein. The several contacts through 1| are of the rivet form havingthe inner ends thereof lying substantially flush with the inner surfaceof the insulating plate member 22, and are riveted over at their outerends to secure them in plate 22. Riveting of the outer ends of thesecontacts also serves to secure a lead connecting lug for each of thecontacts externally of plate 22.

The directional signal circuit of Figure 9 comprises a battery I5 fromwhich a lead 18 extends anaoas to a flasher mechanism 11 of knownconstruction. A second terminal of the flasher 11 has connection bymeans of lead 16 with one terminal of a pilot light 19 with the otherterminal of the pilot light having connection to the ground as at 66. Itwill be understood also that the battery has its other terminalconnected to ground as at 6| which is a conventional circuit expediencyused in automotive vehicles. A lead 82 extends from a third terminal ofthe flasher to the contact 65. In the normal position of the switch asshown, for example, in Figure 6, the contact plate 36 by engagement ofits contacts 46 and 4| bridges the contacts 66 and 61 in the insulatedplate member 22 with the contacts 43 and 44 of contact 31 bridgingcontacts 69 and 10 of the insulated plate 22. A lead 84 has connectionwith the lead 16 anterior of the flasher 11 and a known conventionalform of stop switch 85 is interposed in the lead 84 with this leadhaving connection at its other end with the contact 16 of the platemember 22. A lead 85 is connected to lead 84 posterior of the switch 85and extends to the contact 61. Now with the switch in its normalposition, as shown in Figure 6, and upon closing of the stop switch 85it will be observed that a circuit may be traced from the battery 16,lead 16, lead 64, contact 10, contact 44 of the contact plate member 31,plate 31, contact 43 of the latter, contact 69 and from the contact 69through a lead 61 extending to the filament 88 of a right rear lamp fora vehicle and ground connection 69. Also when the stop switch 65 is inclosed position a circuit can be traced from the lead 16 to the lead 84,lead 66, contact 61, the contact 46 of the contact plate member 36, theplate 36, contact 4| of the latter, the contact 66 of the plate member22 and then by lead 90 to the fllament 9| of a left rear lamp, ground92, and to the ground connection Not the battery to effect a stopindication in the left rear lamp of the vehicle. Thus in the normalpositions of the pair of contact carrying contact block members 28 and29, and the contact plate members 36 and 31 carried thereby,respectively, it will be observed that upon closing of the stop switch65 both left and right rear filaments may be caused to be continuouslyenergized so long as stop switch 65 is closed to give a stop signal.

Assume now that the knob 56 is shifted to the right as viewed in Figure6 to move the contact plate member 36 to its right hand position in theswitch casing. In this position the contacts 46 and 4| of the contactplate 36 engage and bridge the contacts 66 and 65, respectively, and thecontact 42 is in engagement with the contact 66 of the insulated platemember 22. It will be observed in this position of block 28 and contactplate 36 that a circuit may be traced from the battery to the flasher11, the lead 82 to the contact 65, and through the contact plate member36 to the contact 56, and then by a lead 90 to the filament 9| andground 92. The positioning of the contact plate member 36 in theposition last noted is also effected to establish a circuit from thebattery 15, the lead 16, flasher 11, contact 65, contact member 36,through the contact 42 thereof which in this position has engagementwith the contact 66, and from which a lead 93 extends to the filament 94of a left front lamp with the lead 95 extending from the left front lampto ground to complete the circuit. Thus in thepositioning of the contactcarrier member 26 to the right as viewed in Figure 6 it will be-observedthat the left rear and left front filaments 8| and 94, respectively, ofleft rear and left front lamps of a vehicle may be caused to beintermittently energized to give a flashing signal and in this mannergive a visual indication of a left hand turn. The flasher as previouslynoted is of known construction and provides for the intermittent flow ofcurrent through the circuits to the filaments 9| and 94 last describedto effect the intermittent energization thereof. Under these conditionsit will be observed that the contact block member 29 remains in itsnormal position shown in Figure 29 in which the contacts 43 and 44 ofthe contact plate member 31 engage and bridge the contacts 69 and 19,respectively of the plate member 22-so that in the event the stop switch65 is closed, the filament 86 of the right rear lamp will be energizedto give a visual stop indication while the left rear and left frontfilaments 9| and 94, respectively, are given a flashing signalindicating a left hand turn.

When the knob 56 of the carrier means or operating member 55 isshifted-to the left, as viewed in Figure 6, it will observed that thecontact carrying block member 29 is shifted to its left hand position toeffect engagement of the contacts 43 and of the contact plate member 31with the contacts 65 and 69, respectively, of the plate member 22 andwith the contact 45 of the plate member 31 in'engagement with thecontact 1|. Under these conditions the contact carrier block member 26remains in its, normal position due to the one way motion transmittingconnection of the carrier member 55 with the block member 28. Underthese conditions a circuit may be traced from the battery 15, the lead16, the flasher 11, the lead 82, the contact 65, the contact 43 ofthe'plate member 31, the contact plate 31, and the contact 44 of thelatter, the contact 69, to the lead 61 which effects the intermittentenergization of the filament 88 of the right rear lamp with the circuit,being completed through the ground connection 89. Also in this positionof the block carrier member 29 a circuit may be traced from the battery15, the lead 16, the flasher 11, the lead 82. the contact 65, contact 43of plate member 31, the plate member 31, contact 45 of the latter, whichis in engagement with the contact 1| of the insulated plate member 22,and by a lead 96 having connection with the contact 1| to the filament91 of a right front lamp which has connection to ground as at 98 tocomplete the circuit through the ground 8| of battery 15. It will beobserved also that the current flowing through the file ment 91 firstpasses through the flasher and will effect the intermittent energizationof the filament 91 to give a flashing indication of a right hand turn.Under these conditions, it will be further observed that upon closing ofthe stop switch a circuit may be traced from the battery 15, the lead84, the stop switch 85, the lead 66, the contact 61, the contact 46 ofthe contact plate 36, plate 36, contact 4| of the latter, the contact66, and lead to left rear filament 9| and ground 92 to effect thecontinuous energization of the filament 9| for a visual stop signal atthe left rear end when the switch is actuated to indicate right handturn of the vehicle.

It will be observed that since the block carr er member or means 55 isnormally caused to assume the position shown in Figl're 6 hat a.drectional signalling energization of the front and rear lamps of thevehicle iseifected on y so long as the carrier member is shift d to therght or the left, and held in a shifted position against the force ofthe spring normally tending to maintain the carrier means or operatingmember 55 in its normal position. It will be understood that timingmechanisms or other suitable means associated with the steering wheel ofthe vehicle may be so arranged with respect to the knob 55 to maintainit in either of its shifted positions, either for a predeterminedposition length of time, or until the vehicle has. been straightened outafter completion of a left hand or right hand turn. The provision ofsuch means for controlling a directional signal switch are well known inthe art and is thought need not be herein described in detail for anunderstanding of my present invention.

Referring now to Figures through 16, I have disclosed another preferredembodiment of my invention in which actuation of the switch means iseffected by rotary movement of a suitable operating member in lieu ofthe rectilinear or straight line movement of the embodiment of theinvention disclosed in Figures 1 through 9. In Figures 10 through itwill be observed that the rotary form of directional signal switch I00comprises a metal cylindrical cup-shaped housing IOI closed at its upperend and having a plate member I02 of insulating material suitablysecured in the bottom open end thereof by a plurality of lugs I00integral with the metal housing I M which are bent over to secure theplate member in position. In this form of the invention a pair ofcontact carrying block members I04 and I05 made of insulating materialare mounted for rotary movement within the switch housing, and arenormally urged by means of a spring member 101 disposed about a pin I08extending axially of cylindrical housing IOI into engagement withabutment lugs I05-I05 extending inwardly of the closed end of housing IMand integral therewith. As shown the spring I01 has its opposite freeends I09 and H0, respectively, engaging the opposed side faces of thecontact carrying block members I04 and I05 opposite the faces thereofadapted to engage the inwardly extending integral abutments I05-I05 ofthe switch housing section IN.

A pair of contact plate members H2 and H0 are associated, respectively,with the contact block members I04 and I05 and are provided each with apair of lugs or ears II4-I I4 fitting in suitably formed verticallyextending slots 5-- I I5 formed in each of the contact carrying blocksI04 and I05. The block members I04 and I05 each have a spring II 8having one end disposed in vertically extending recesses IIS formed inthe block members with the opposite ends of the springs IIO bearingagainst the inner surface of the contact plate members H2 and H0 forbiasing the latter into engagement with the inner surface of theinsulating plate member I02. As shown more clearly in Figure 14 thecontact plate member I I2 is provided with three depressions formingcontacts I20, I2I and I22 with the contact plate member IIO beingsimilarly formed with a plurality of depressions forming contacts I20,I24 and I25. The pin I08 extends coaxially of the axis'of the housingsection IM and at its upper end has fixed connection with the inner enda handle member I00 as by peening over of the outer end of the pin. Abearing sleeve IOI I is suitably secured as by riveting of the upper endthereof over the upper surface of the housing section IM and throughwhich the pin I00 extends. The handle I31 forms one element of a blockcarrier means or operating member, and which as shown more clearly inFigure 14 comprises a plate member I 05 secured to the pin I00 below thesleeve I00 and substantially centrally 0f the closed upper end ofhousing IOI and the Insulated plate I02. The arrangement is such thatupon grasping of the handle I00 the plate member I05 is caused to berotated with the edges I 05 and I01 thereof adapted to engage the ad-Jacent side edges of the contact carrying block members I04 and I05respectively, to effect rotary movement of the latter and of the contactplate members carried thereby. A spring member I40 also has connectionwith the pin I00 for rotation therewith with the free end of the springmember having a pin I42 extending upwardly thereof and which through thespring member I40 is adapted to have yielding biasing engagement in aslotted depression I40 formed in the upper closed end of the casing I02or selectively, in either of the depressions I44 or I45 depending uponthe position of the handle member I00. The contact carrying blockmembers I04 and I05 along the outer cylindrical surfaces are eachprovided with a pair of rounded head members I to reduce the frictionaldrag of the contact block carrying members I04 and I05 to a minimum.Also the upper surfaces of each of the contact carrier block members I04and I05 are provided with a plurality of rounded head members I52 tofurther minimize frictional drag and rotary movement of the blockmembers I04 and I05 within the casing.

The plate member I02 is provided with a plurality of contacts I50through I00 with the contacts I and I51 being connected by a flat metalstrap member I6I and with the contacts I55 and I58 being connected by aflat metal strap member I62. The several contacts I50 through I50 are ofthe rivet type and at their outer ends are arranged to secure suitableconnecting lugs at the outer surface of the insulating plate member I02for the connection of suitable leads thereto In the normal position ofthe carrier means for the pair of contact blocks I 04 and I05 with thehandle lever in the position shown in Figure 14 and with the pin I42carried at the free end of the spring member I40 in the elongated grooveI42, the spring I01 is effective for maintaining the contact blocks inthe position shown with the contacts I20 and I24 of contact plate H0 inengagement respectively with the contacts I55 and I54 of the platemember I 02 respectively. Also in this .position the contacts I20 andI2I of contact plate member II2 have contacting engagement with thecontacts I50 and I50 of the plate member I02, respectively.

Referring now to Figure 16 it will be observed that a battery I10 hasone terminal connected to ground as at HI and from the other terminal ofwhich a lead I12 having a stop switch I10 of conventional constructioninterposed therein extends to the connector I52 connecting terminals I55and I50. When the stop switch I10 is closed with the contact plates II 2and I I0 in normal position, it will be observed that a circuit iscompleted through contact plate I I0 bridging contacts I54 and I55 andfrom the latter of which a lead I15 extends to the filament I15 of aright rear lamp I11 which is grounded as at I10 to complete the circuitback to ground I1I of the battery. Also the contact plate II2 bridgesthe contacts I58 and I50. A lead I00 extends from contact I50 to thefilament Ill 01' a left rear lamp I0: with the other terminal thereofbeing connected to ground as at I" to complete a circuit to ground "I ofthe battery I10. Thus in the normal position of the switch I and uponactuation of the stop switch I18 the filaments I18 and I8I of the rightand left rear lamps respectively will be continuously energized to givea stop signal. Now upon movement of the handle I80 in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Figure 14 the contact block member I is caused tobe rotated in a clockwise direction to engage the contact I28 of contactplate member II8 with contact I54, contact I24 of contact plate memberIII with the contact I58, and the contact I of contact plate member II8with contact I58 of the plate member I02, respectively. With the contactplate member III in this position it will be observed that a circuit maybe traced from the battery I10, lead I12, a lead I85 which hasconnection with the lead I12 anterior of the stop switch I13 havingconnection with one terminal of a known flasher mechanism I88. A leadI81 extends from another terminal of the flasher device I88 to theconnecting member I8 I. The plate member I I8 in the position lastdescribed bridges the several contacts I53, I54 and I58 whereby thefilament I18 of the right rear lamp is caused to be energizedintermittently, and by reason of a lead I89 extending from the contactI53 to a right front filament I80 of a rightfront lamp I8I and groundconnection I82 efiects the intermittent energization of the right frontfilament I80. Thus in this position of the block carrier member I05 andcontact plate member II8, a flashing directional signal is given by theintermittent energization of the filaments I18 and I80 of the right rearand right front lamps I11 and I8I, respectively. As before, sincethecontact block I04 remains in its normal position closing of the stopswitch I13 will cause continuous energization of the left rear lampfilament I82 to give a visual stopindication upon closing of the stopswitch and with the handle I8I of the block actuating means in theposition last described.

Upon movement of the handle I80 in a counter-clockwise direction asviewed in Figure 14 it will be observed that the contact carrying blockmember I04 is caused to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction inthe switch housing so that the contact I2I of contact plate member H2 isadapted to engage thecontact I80 of the plate member I20, the contactI20 is adapted to have contacting engagement with the contact I58, andthe contact I22 is adapted to have contacting engagement with thecontact I51 of the plate mem ber I02. In this position of the contactcarrier member I04 and the contact plate II2, it will be observed thatthe latter effects bridging of the several contacts I51, I58 and I80 sothat a circuit may be traced from the battery'I10, lead I12, lead I85,the flasher I88, the lead I81, the connector I8I, contact plate II2,contact I2I of contact plate I I2 in engagement with the contact I80 ofplate member I02 from which a lead I95 extends to a filament I88 to aleft front lamp I81 and ground I88 to complete the circuit with thebattery. Also a circuit may also be traced from the contact plate memberII2, contact I20, the contact I59 of the insulated plate member I 02,lead I80, and the filament I82 of the left rear lamp I82 to ground I83so that in the position of the contact carrier block member I04 and thecontact plate II2 last assumed intermittent energization of thefilaments I88 and I8I of the left front and left rear lamp, respectivelyis effected. Also in this position and with the contact plate H8 in itsnormal position, closure, of the stop switch I18 will effect thecontinuous energization of the right rear filament I18 of the right rearlamp I11. As shown in this figure the flasher comprises a third terminalfrom which a lead 200 extends to the filament of a pilot light 20I whichhas a ground connection 202 for completing a circuit with the batteryI10. The arrangement of the flasher is such that the pilot light isenergized to give visual indication to the driver when the. handlemember I30 is moved from its normal position to effect indication of aright or left hand turn.

In'the rotary movement of the handle lever I it will be observed thatthe pin I42 carried at the end of spring member I40 engaging in the slotI48 or depressions I 44 or I45 provides a sensible indication of theposition of the switch to the operator.

While I have shown the switches of my invention'embodied in adirectional signalling system for an automotive .vehicle it will beunderstood that the switches may have other uses and that various othercontact arrangements may be provided between the contact plate memberscarried by the block members and the contacts of the insulating platemembers for such other uses and purposes. Also while I have shown what Iconsider to be the preferred embodiments of my invention it will beunderstood that various rearrangements and modifications may be madetherein without departing from my invention.

I claim:

1. In a switch of the character described, a switch casing, a pair ofcontact carrying block members mounted for reciprocal sliding movementlongitudinally of said casing, spring means between said block membersfor normally maintaining them in abutting engagement with the oppositeends of said casing, and a block carrier member bridging said blockmembers and mounted for movement longitudinally of said casing, saidblock carrier member having one way motion transmitting connection witheach of said block members so that when said block carrier member ismoved toward either one of said block members the block member towardwhich it moves remains in its normal position, and the block member awayfrom which said carrier member moves is caused to be movedlongitudinally inwardly of said casing against the force of said springmeans.

2. ma switch of the character described, a switch casing, a pair ofcontact carrying block members mounted for reciprocal sliding movementlongitudinally of said casing, spring means between said block membersfor normally maintaining them in abutting engagement with the oppositeends of said casing, block carrier means bridging said block members andmounted for reciprocal movement longitudinally of said casing, and oneway motion transmitting means between said block carrier means and eachof said block members adapted when said block carrier means is movedtoward either of said block members the block member toward which it ismoved remains in its normal position, and the block member away fromwhich said block carrier means is moved is caused to be movedlongitudinally inwardly of said casing against the force of said springmeans.

3. In a switch of the character described, a switch casing, a pair ofcontact carryi g block 10. In a switch or the character described, aswitch easing comprising a cylindrical housing closed at one end andopen at the other end, and having a plate member of insulating materialprovided with a plurality of contacts mounted in the open end of saidhousing, a pair of spaced abutmeuts extending inwardly of said casing, a

pair of contact carrying block members of insu- 'lating material mountedfor rotary sliding reciprocal movement in said casing about the axis ofsaid housing, contact members carried by said block members for movementtherewith and normally bridging certain of the contacts of said platemember, spring means between said block members and said contact membersfor yieldingly biasing the latter into engagement with said platemember, spring means between said block members normally maintaining thelatter in abutting relation with said abutments, block carrier meansmounted for rotation about the axis of said housing, and spring meansbetween said block members for maintaining them in spaced relation andin engagement with said block carrier means, said block carrier meansupon rotary movement thereof being adapted to rotate either one of saidblock members independentiy of and toward the other against the force ofsaid spring means therebetween and thereby effect bridging engagement ofother of the contacts of said plate member by said contact members.

11. In a switch of the character described, a switch casing comprising acylindrical housing closed at one end and open at the other end, andhaving a plate member of insulating material provided with a pluralityof contacts mounted in the open end of said housing, a pair of spacedabutments extending inwardly of said casing, a pair of contact carryingblock members of insulating material mounted for rotary slidingreciprocal movement in said casing about the axis of said housing,contact members carried by said block members for movement therewith andnormally bridging certain of the contacts of said plate member, springmeans between said block members and said contact members for yieldinglybiasing the latter into engagement with said plate member, spring meansbetween said block members normally maintaining the latter in abuttingrelation with said abutments, block carrier means mounted for rotationabout the axis of said housing, spring means between said block membersfor maintaining them in spaced relation and in engagement with saidblock carrier means, said block carrier means upon rotary movementthereof being adapted to rotate either one of said block membersindependently of and toward the other against-the force of said springmeans therebetween and thereby eflect bridging engagement of other ofthe contents of said plate member by said contact members, and springmeans between said block carrier means and said housing providing amanually sensible indication of the position of said block carrier meansin said casing.

12. In a switch of the character described, a switch casingccomprising ahousing and a plate member of insulating material mounted in saidhousing, a pair of contact carrying block members of insulating materialmounted f or reciprocal sliding movement in said casing and relative tosaid plate member, contact members carried by said block members formovement therewith, a plurality of stationary contacts carried by saidplate member, spring means between said block asaaoss members fornormally maintaining each of them in one position relative to said platemember and with the contact members carried by said block members inengagement with certain of the plurality of contacts of said platemember, common block carrier means associated with'said block membersnormally maintained by said spring means in a position with each of saidblock members and the contact members carried thereby in said oneposition, and said block carrier means including means for moving thesame in opposite directions in said housing relative to said platemember to efiect independent movement of either of said block members inopposite directions with respect to each other and the contact memberscarried thereby against the force of said spring means from said oneposition to a second position of contact of each of said contact memberswith the stationary contacts of said plate mem- 13. In. a switch of thecharacter described, a switch casing comprising a metal housing and aplate member of insulating material forming a wall of said housing, apair of contact carrying block members of insulating material mountedfor reciprocal sliding movement in said casing and relative to saidplate member, contact members carried by said block members for movementtherewith, a plurality of stationary contacts carried by said platemember, spring means between said block members for normally maintainingeach of them in one position relative to said plate member with thcontact members carried by said block members in engagement with certainof the plurality of contacts of said plate member, spring means betweensaid block members and said contact members carried thereby and actingsubstantially at right angles to said first spring means for urging saidcontact members toward said plate member, common block carrier meansassociated with said block members and normally maintained by said firstnamed spring means in position with each of said block members and saidcontact members carried thereby in said one position, and said blockcarrier means having me for rendering it movable in opposite directionsfrom its normal position in said housing and having one-way motiontransmittlng connection with each of said block members, whereby saidblock members and the contact members carried thereby are movableindependently of and in opposite directions with respect to each otherand against the force of a said first named spring means from said oneposition to a second position wherein each of said contact members areadapted to have contact with other of the contacts of said plate member.

14. In a switch of the character described, a switch casing comprising ahousing and a plate member of insulating material mounted in saidhousing, a. pair of contact carrying block members of insulatingmaterial mounted for sliding movement toward and away from each other insaid casing and relative to said plate member, contact members carriedby said block members for movement therewith, a plurality of stationarycontacts carried by said plate member, spring means between said blockmembers for normally maintainin each of them in one position relative tosaid plate member and with the contact members carried by said blockmembers in'engagement with certain of the plurality of contacts of saidplate member, a common block carrier means associated with said blockmember normally a,sas,oas

maintained by said spring means in a position with each of the saidblock members and the contact members carried thereby in said oneposition, and said block carrier means including means for moving thesame in opposite directions in said housing relative to said platemember to effect independent movement of each of said block members inopposite directions with respect to each other and the contact memberscarried thereby against the force of said spring means from said oneposition to a second position of contact of each of said contact memberswith the stationary contacts of said plate member.

15. In a switch of the character described, a switch casing comprising ametal housing and a plate member of insulating material forming a wallof said housing, a pair contact carrying block members of insulatingmaterial mounted for sliding movement toward and away from each other insaid casing and relative to said plate member, contact members carriedby said block members for movement therewith, .a plurality oi stationarycontacts carried by said plate member, spring means between said blockmembers for normally maintaining each of them in one position relativeto said plate member with the contact members carried by said blockmembers in engagement with certain of the plurality of contacts of saidplate member, spring means between said block members and said contactmembers carried thereby and acting substantially at right angles to saidfirst spring means for urging saidcontact members toward said platemember, com mon block carrier means associated with said block 1'*Inbers and normally maintained by said first main spring means inposition with each of said block members and said contact memberscarried thereby in said one position, and said block carrier meanshaving means for rendering it movable in opposite directions from itsnormal position in said housing and having one-way motion transmittingconnection with each of said block members, whereby said block membersand the contact members carried thereby are movable independently of andin opposite directions with respect to each other and against th force'of said first named spring means from said one position to a secondposition wherein each oi said contact members are adapted to havecontact with other of the contacts of said plate member.

HAROLD H. CLAYTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file 01'this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,241,510 Hanfl Oct. 2, 19171,450,930 Walter Apr. 10, 1923 1,641,720 Widmer Sept. 6, 1927 1,709,619Johnson Apr. 16, 1929 1,844,731 Whittingham Feb. 9, 1932 2,288,207Quillery June 30, 1942

